France now offers 700 university courses in English which has helped to broaden the country’s global reach. International students are drawn to France from around the world, although French speaking countries such as Morocco are a major force. Its international student population is anticipated to rise from 12% to 30% of all students by 2020.

Studying at a home university is extremely common in France, and as a consequence between 34% and 81% of domestic students live with their parents during their degree studies.

Students in France pay rents averaging between €395 (Limoges) and €894 (Paris) per month. Provision of student housing across France is relatively limited, in the major student cities there are 10 students per purpose built student unit.

Paris has twice as many students as the next largest student centres of Lyon and Lille. The city has a relatively under-developed purpose-built student accommodation sector. In spite of having the largest number of international students in the country, just 9% are catered for with purpose built accommodation.

The Paris market poses opportunities, but entry is difficult. Central sites in close proximity to quality institutions are extremely difficult to come by, and are also in strong demand from other use classes. A mature private rental sector geared up to the student market in inner areas of the city makes purpose built blocks outside the core less appealing to prospective students.

Approximately 22,700 purpose build student units are planned to be delivered in the top 20 university cities in France over the next four years, which will add 24% to total stock. Lyon, Lille, and Marseille have the most units planned, which will add between 5% and 10% to existing stocks.

Taken from
Spotlight: World Student Housing 2014